merciless looks better to me as well, as it is darker and more sinister in colour scheme than the original t5. currently I am wearing this set femorc. I would like my transmog set to be the gold challege modes gear, but yay, i have yet to put together a good group.

I'm going for T5 stuff, but I'm having serious difficulty soloing Kael since they locked the doors. Anyone know of a T5 chest look alike that could be subbed in, as well as a cloak to go with it?

You can do it. I do it as my normal Affliction Sacrifice spec. Start with VW out, kill kill equip and activate staff, then phase3 is pretty easy. Sacrifice VW for Kael, put normal weapons back on after the first disorient cast, I assume you still get MC'd if you have a pet out.